Business Development Manager

The Role

The Ascend Advanced Therapies Group is seeking a scientifically and commercially-driven Manager of Business Development to support expansion across the viral vaccine, oncolytic virus, and AAV gene therapy sectors. This role sits at the intersection of science, manufacturing, and strategic partnerships, focusing on development and GMP manufacturing opportunities spanning virus production, analytical testing, and drug product manufacturing including aseptic fill/finish. In this role, you’ll engage with biotech founders, CMC leaders, and scientific teams to understand their manufacturing challenges and guide them toward Ascend’s development and GMP production capabilities. Your day may include technical discussions with internal SMEs, managing a pipeline of emerging opportunities, developing proposals for viral vector manufacturing programs, and building relationships with biotech companies through conferences, partnering meetings, and targeted outreach.

As an individual contributor, the Manager will work closely with the Business Development leadership team, manufacturing leadership, and technical SMEs to identify, qualify, and close new client partnerships across the Western US. The role requires a professional capable of translating complex virology and gene therapy manufacturing challenges into practical CDMO solutions.

The Ascend Group’s decades of experience in viral vaccine manufacturing, oncolytic virus development, and AAV gene-to-patient production uniquely positions the organization to support emerging biotech innovators and established pharmaceutical companies alike.

The ideal candidate is comfortable operating independently in a scientifically sophisticated commercial environment, capable of engaging with CMC, process development, and translational science teams while managing a structured sales pipeline. Geographic proximity to a major airport or biopharma hub strongly preferred.

Regular travel for client meetings, scientific conferences, and site visits is expected.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify and develop new business opportunities within viral vaccines, oncolytic viruses, and AAV gene therapy programs, spanning early development through commercial manufacturing.
• Build and manage a pipeline of opportunities across viral vector manufacturing, process development, analytical testing, and aseptic fill-finish services.
• Serve as a scientifically credible interface between prospective clients and Ascend’s internal manufacturing, process development, and quality teams.
• Support the development of client proposals, technical scopes, and commercial strategies for complex viral therapy manufacturing programs.
• Contribute to opportunity qualification by evaluating technical feasibility, manufacturing scale requirements, and regulatory considerations associated with viral therapy production.
• Track and manage opportunities within the company CRM while maintaining a consistent reporting cadence on pipeline progress, forecasts, and risks.
• Participate in scientific conferences, partnering meetings, and industry events to build relationships with emerging biotech companies developing viral therapies.
• Collaborate with marketing and leadership teams to support targeted outreach initiatives and market intelligence activities within the viral therapy landscape.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends in viral vector manufacturing, vaccine development, and gene therapy production technologies.

• Bachelor’s Degree with 3 - 5 years of experience in the viral vaccine, gene therapy, or virotherapy sector, ideally within a CDMO, CMO, or biologics services organization (Experience in BD is a plus).
• Working knowledge of bioprocess development, viral vector production, analytical testing, and drug product manufacturing workflows.
• Demonstrated familiarity with AAV manufacturing, viral vaccine platforms, or oncolytic virus development.
• Ability to engage in technical commercial discussions with CMC leaders, process scientists, and manufacturing teams.
• Proven experience managing a structured sales pipeline and supporting complex service agreements.
• Familiarity with CRM and market intelligence tools including Salesforce, HubSpot, GlobalData, Zymewire or similar platforms.

Ascend-ABL provides competitive healthcare, dental, vision, and retirement benefits across both US and EU employee bases. The organization supports professional growth and advancement within a science-driven, collaborative environment focused on advancing viral therapeutics.

For Business Development roles, Ascend-ABL offers a performance-based incentive plan aligned with revenue growth and strategic business objectives.